Rahat Fateh Ali Khan pays tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has overturned a 16-year-old Supreme Court ruling concerning land acquisition and claims for additional compensation, delivering a significant judgment on the legal rights of landowners. A three-member bench headed by FCC Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan announced the decision on review petitions challenging the Supreme Court’s 2010 majority judgment. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah were also members of the bench. The 47-page judgment, authored by Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, held that parts of the Supreme Court’s earlier decision in the Sadaqat Ali Khan case were not legally sustainable. The court ruled that a landowner who accepts compensation without raising an objection cannot subsequently claim additional compensation. It also held that a landowner who fails to file a reference within the prescribed legal period cannot later seek additional compensation. Another important finding was that landowners who were not parties to earlier proceedings cannot automatically claim the benefit of higher compensation awarded to other landowners through court proceedings. The Federal Constitutional Court observed that the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 provides a comprehensive legal framework for land acquisition and determination of compensation. Anyone seeking additional compensation must follow the procedure established under the law. According to the judgment, once the prescribed period for legal proceedings expires, the award issued by the Land Acquisition Collector becomes final. Courts cannot use their powers to bypass mandatory statutory requirements. The court further clarified that the principle of equality under Article 25 of the Constitution cannot eliminate statutory limitation periods or mandatory legal conditions. Similarly, the power to do complete justice cannot be used to create a new legal right that does not exist under the relevant law. The Supreme Court’s 2010 majority ruling had extended the benefit of additional compensation to certain landowners who were not parties to the original proceedings. The National Highway Authority chairman and other authorities subsequently challenged the ruling through review petitions. The Federal Constitutional Court accepted the review petitions filed by the concerned authorities and also allowed related civil appeals. Decisions of the Peshawar and Lahore High Courts concerning additional compensation were consequently set aside, while the original orders of the Land Acquisition Collectors and other competent authorities were restored. However, Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah’s additional note clarified that additional compensation already paid in good faith under the earlier judgment cannot be recovered. Recovery would not be permissible where the money was obtained without fraud, misrepresentation or an unlawful method. The ruling could have significant implications for future land acquisition and compensation disputes by emphasizing statutory procedures, legal deadlines and the finality of compensation awards.

  Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan has completed 79 years of independence and that the country will celebrate the centenary of its independence 21 years from now, in 2047. In a video message issued on the occasion of Independence Day, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reflected on the meaning of Pakistan’s independence and emphasized that freedom was not simply about acquiring a separate territory. According to him, the creation of Pakistan represented a broader promise of rights and dignity for its people. Bilawal said that independence should be understood as more than the establishment of a geographical homeland. He described it as a commitment made to the people of Pakistan and to the regions and states that chose to become part of the country at the time of its creation. He said that this commitment was subsequently incorporated into Pakistan’s Constitution and has continued to be reaffirmed over the years. According to Bilawal, the constitutional promise represents an important responsibility for successive generations and should not remain limited to political speeches or written documents. The PPP chairman stressed that the younger generation has an important role to play in fulfilling this promise. He said it is the responsibility of the present generation to ensure that the constitutional guarantees and principles associated with Pakistan’s founding vision reach every household by 2047, when the country will mark 100 years of independence. Bilawal’s remarks came as Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day with nationwide ceremonies, flag-hoisting events and public celebrations. The day is observed every year on August 14 to commemorate Pakistan’s independence from British rule in 1947. In his message, Bilawal focused on the relationship between independence, constitutional rights and the responsibilities of citizens. He suggested that the true meaning of freedom lies not only in national sovereignty but also in ensuring that citizens are able to enjoy their fundamental rights. He further emphasized the importance of remembering the commitments associated with the creation of Pakistan while looking toward the country’s future. As Pakistan approaches its centenary in 2047, he called for collective efforts to translate constitutional principles into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. According to Bilawal, fulfilling the promise of Pakistan is a responsibility shared by every generation. He said the country’s future depends on ensuring that the principles of rights and justice are reflected in the everyday lives of people across the country. The PPP chairman also extended his greetings to the nation on Independence Day and expressed his hopes for Pakistan’s continued progress and prosperity. Concluding his message, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed his commitment to Pakistan and expressed the slogan “Pakistan Khappay, Pakistan Paindabad,” conveying a message of support for the country’s unity, stability and lasting prosperity. His Independence Day message centered on the idea that Pakistan’s journey should be viewed not only through the achievement of independence but also through the fulfillment of the rights and aspirations that accompanied the country’s creation. With 2047 approaching as the centenary year of Pakistan’s independence, Bilawal called on the current generation to work toward realizing the constitutional promise for every citizen and household. His message highlighted the importance of connecting the ideals associated with independence to the everyday realities of the Pakistani people.